Was Signing Kirk Cousins the Biggest Mistake of the Minnesota Vikings' Organization?

It is a well-documented fact that the signing of Kirk Cousins to a fully guaranteed contract has been a point of contention within the Minnesota Vikings organization. Nonetheless, the question remains: was this decision the biggest mistake they have ever made?

Elite Money for a Mediocre Quarterback

With a $84 million fully guaranteed contract, the Vikings opted to pay elite money for a quarterback who, in essentially all respects, could be considered mediocre. The term 'mediocre' is perhaps a generous one; Cousins, while not awful, simply does not possess the skill set or potential that one would consider tantamount to 'elite.'

Other Cheaper Options?

The Vikings explored other options. There were certainly cheaper quarterbacks available who could provide similar or even better levels of play. For instance, within the same draft class, Marcus Mariota was a more cost-effective choice, and in subsequent drafts, Case Keenum and Joe Webb were other viable options that did not cost the team as dearly as Cousins does.

Aaron Rodgers vs Kirk Cousins

To put this decision in even more perspective, consider the 2005 NFL Draft. The Vikings had the opportunity to select Aaron Rodgers, who would eventually become a two-time MVP. Instead, they drafted Bernard Scott 7th overall and Latavius Murray 18th. These draft choices have not panned out as hoped, leaving the Vikings to rue those selections.

Had the Vikings drafted Aaron Rodgers that year, the impact on their franchise would have been immense. Rodgers, as a first-round pick, would have immediately improved the team's starting quarterback position and set the stage for sustained success over the next decade. In contrast, Kirk Cousins, even with his contract, provides little more than satisfactory performance.

Conclusion and Impact on Future Drafts

The signing of Kirk Cousins is certainly significant, but it does not eclipse the Vikings' colossal misstep in not drafting Aaron Rodgers. The decision to pursue Cousins over other, more economical options may hinder the organization's ability to address other needs and better position themselves for future success on the field.

Reflecting on these draft choices, it is clear that the Vikings' organizational priorities were somewhat misaligned. The pursuit of a high-paying, yet potentially underwhelming, player like Cousins may have come at the expense of more strategic and long-term considerations.

The decision to sign Kirk Cousins has undoubtedly overshadowed potential what-ifs and caused considerable consternation among fans and analysts alike. However, it remains to be seen if this move will be remembered as the organization's greatest regret or if history will provide some redemption in the form of playoff success or other successful moves on the horizon.

In the world of professional sports, every decision carries consequences, and the Vikings would be wise to learn from this episode to make more calculated and strategic choices in the future.